I recommend the following books for parents and students. These are among the greatest books. They are enjoyable and will help your student become educated and live well.
Ideally, parents should read the books before their students do so that they can discuss the subject matter and help their students enjoy and learn from them.
The books below are organized by grade and include a mix of Bible, literature, history, and one biography (i.e., Confessions). (More comprehensive student reading programs are available (see the bottom of the page), but they require significant dedication.)
This guide is intended to supplement your student’s education and provide what I believe to be critical.
Lastly, some of the books below are Christian (e.g., Knowing God by J. I. Packer). If you are not comfortable with this, insert something in its place. However, I encourage all to give them a read.
7th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| The Wind in the Willows Genesis Exodus | Samuel (Guides 1 and 2) Kings Odyssey |
8th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| The Hobbit Mark Romans | Acts Anne of Green Gables Confessions |
9th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Pilgrim’s Progress Land of Hope Declaration of Independence & Constitution | Pride & Prejudice Federalist Papers (Selections) Great Expectations |
10th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Knowing God The Iliad The Aeneid | The Peloponnesian War The Republic [Placeholder for fiction work] |
11th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Enjoying God The Divine Comedy Isaiah & Jeremiah | Macbeth Phantastes On Christian Doctrine |
12th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Paradise Lost Enjoying Jesus Moby Dick Revelation | Washington and Lincoln’s Speeches (Selections) Institutes of the Christian Religion Jesus the Great Philosopher Praying the Bible |
Additional reading programs:
Here are longer, more comprehensive reading programs for students who want more. Note: I have not read all the recommended books or purchased the courses. Some books, even classics, are not always appropriate for the recommended grade. Parental discretion is advised.
The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education – See Appendix I: Reading Lists, in particular, the Ambrose School Reading List